Hence, War’s terrific glory to display,

Became the theme of every epic lay:

But when his strings with mournful magic tell

What dire distress Laertes’ son befel,

The strains meand’ring through the maze of woe

Bid sacred sympathy the heart o’erflow;

Far through the boundless realms of thought he springs,

From earth upborne on Pegasean wings,

While distant poets, trembling as they view

His sunward flight, the dazzling track pursue;